Three jailed drug dealers have been told they may face deportation after conspiring to supply Class A drugs in Ipswich.

Mariglen Markaj, 22, Altin Marku, 23, and Refik Shehi, 31, all appeared remotely from prison custody to be sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday.

Each of the defendants, of no fixed abode, had admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and possession of criminal property, relating to the two weeks between July 16 and July 31 this year.

With the aid of an Albanian interpreter, the court heard that Marku was riding an electric bicycle through Ipswich when he was seen by police to discard a cigarette packet, which contained grip seal bags of cocaine.

A search of his home address revealed £340 and more cocaine.

A police mugshot of Altin Marku. A police mugshot of Altin Marku. (Image: Suffolk Constabulary) Refik Shehi was driving an Audi when he was stopped by police.Refik Shehi was driving an Audi when he was stopped by police. (Image: Suffolk Constabulary) Mariglen Markaj was arrested when he arrived at the address in Chevalier Street during the police search. Mariglen Markaj was arrested when he arrived at the address in Chevalier Street during the police search. (Image: Suffolk Constabulary)

On July 30, police stopped an Audi being driven by Shehi in which Marku was a passenger.

Marku was found with £580 and a mobile phone, with a bag of cocaine in his sock. Shehi had a wallet containing a “significant quantity” of cash and an iPhone.

The defendants gave an address in Chevallier Street and police commenced a search. Whilst they were there, Markaj arrived. He too was arrested.

Police uncovered 44 bags of cocaine, over £8,000 in cash, a set of scales and more grip seal bags. They also found ID documents relating to all three defendants and their fingerprints on items at the address.

In total, the Crown Prosecution Service asked for the forfeiture of £9,690, which Judge David Wilson granted.

Judge Wilson sentenced Shehi to 30 months imprisonment. Marku and Markaj were sentenced to 27 months, slightly lower in light of their being younger.

Under the government’s new early release scheme, they may serve 40% of this time before being released on licence.

Judge Wilson told the men that he was satisfied that they were remorseful for their behaviour, and had received good character references from prison staff, and from their families.

He advised each of the defendants that due to the length of their sentences, they may face deportation upon release.